Patrick

Leonard

A fourth-round pick in 2011, Leonard spent last season with the Royals’ rookie league affiliate and posted 14 home runs and an .833 OPS in 268 plate appearances. He isn’t close to being considered for the majors, but is a high-upside flier for the Rays.

He plated four of the Biscuits’ season-high 17 runs. The 23-year-old now has two multi-hit games in his last three outings. Leonard began the year with Triple-A Durham but was sent down after hitting just .198 with no homers in 131 at-bats. He’s done a little bit better in Double-A, batting .268 with nine RBI in 11 contests. The former fifth-round pick has struggled to make contact at times, striking out 68 times in only 172 at-bats this year.

He plated four of the Biscuits’ season-high 17 runs. The 23-year-old now has two multi-hit games in his last three outings. Leonard began the year with Triple-A Durham but was sent down after hitting just .198 with no homers in 131 at-bats. He’s done a little bit better in Double-A, batting .268 with nine RBI in 11 contests. The former fifth-round pick has struggled to make contact at times, striking out 68 times in only 172 at-bats this year.

Leonard was the “other guy” that the Rays acquired when they dealt James Shields to the Royals, and he has transitioned to first base full time. He has intriguing potential, as he has the raw power to hit 25 home runs in the major leagues, but has a way to go to make sufficiently consistent hard contact in order to utilize his power. Leonard is hitting .317/.394/.592 with 11 doubles, two triples, and six home runs for the season.

Leonard tallied 32 doubles, 11 home runs, 70 RBI, and 15 stolen bases over 131 games this season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays, but those numbers came alongside a somewhat underwhelming .268/.327/.408 overall slash line. The 25-year-old corner infielder has a .258 career batting average in the minors.